Brassiere fastener

ABSTRACT

A two-piece, plastic separable fastener assembly is disclosed having particular utility as a fastener assembly for use with a nursing brassiere. The fastener assembly is comprised of a first plastic member having a slot and a second plastic fastener member having projection means thereon adapted to be introduced through the slot in a manner whereby the two members are releasably interengagable. The two members are provided with guide and positioning means cooperable to position the projection relative to the slot to facilitate introducing the projection through the slot, whereby manipulation of the fastener assembly during interengagement of the two members is facilitated. One of the fastener members is attachable to a strap associated with the shoulder strap of a brassiere and the other fastener member is attachable to a strap associated with a movable cover portion of the brassiere cup.

United States Patent 91 Corrado 1 Sept. 24, 1974 1 BRASSIERE FASTENER 22 Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 385,852

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 192,613, Oct. 26, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 24/201 CF, 24/201 R, 128/506 [51] Int. Cl A44b 17/00 [58] Field of Search 24/75-78, 225, 24/226, 77, 201 CF, 230 B, 230 G; 128/506, 510, 482

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 389,960 9/1888 Frantzen 24/78 540,931 6/1895 Walkey 24/77 R 1,509,002 9/1924 Soule 24/226 1,570,130 1/1926 Conahan 24/225 1,642,105 9/1927 Eastin 24/225 2,904,866 9/1959 Carter 24/75 3,078,538 2/1963 Brown 24/77 R 3,418,700 12/1968 Edelman 24/201 A 3,445,901 5/1969 Kamper 24/201 HE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 358,771 l/1962 Switzerland ..24/225 466,863 10/1928 Germany ..24/77R Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or FirmMeyer, Tilberry & Body [5 7] ABSTRACT A two-piece, plastic separable fastener assembly is disclosed having particular utility as a fastener assembly for use with a nursing brassiere. The fastener assembly is comprised of a first plastic member having a slot and a second plastic fastener member having projection means thereon adapted to be introduced through the slot in a manner whereby the two members are releasably interengagable. The two members are provided with guide and positioning means cooperable to position the projection relative to the slot to facilitate introducing the projection through the slot, whereby manipulation of the fastener assembly during interengagement of the two members is facilitated. One of the fastener members is attachable to a strap associated with the shoulder strap of a brassiere and the other fastener member is attachable to a strap associated with a movable cover portion of the brassiere cup.

7 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures BRASSIERE FASTENER This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 192,613 filed Oct. 26, 1971, and which application is now abandoned.

The present invention relates to the art ofbrassieres and, more particularly, to fasteners for releasably holding brassiere portions in closed relationship to one another.

The fastener assembly of the present invention finds particular utility and will be described in conjunction with nursing brassieres which are worn by women to facilitate the breast feeding of babies. Brassieres of this character include a lower breast cup and an upper breast cover adapted to be moved to a position which exposes the breast for feeding. The upper breast cover is releasably interconnected with a shoulder strap of the brassiere by a fastener assembly manipulatable by hand.

In the fastening of cup and cover portions-of a nursing brassiere, it is often desirable, and sometimes necessary, to manipulate the components -of the fastener assembly using only the fingers of onehand. For example, when a mother is preparing to breast feed her child she is often carrying or supporting the childin one arm. Thus. the mother has but one hand free to manipulate the fastening means which is generally provided on the nursing brassiere to maintain the upper or cover portion thereof in its position covering the breast during non-feeding periods. When it is desired to feed the child, the fastener is manipulated to release the cover so that the breast may be exposed for feeding purposes. While release of the fastener components by the use of one hand generally is not too difficult, the interengagement thereof by the use of one hand following the feeding period is often extremely difficult. In this respect, the mother, while holding the child in one arm, must grasp both fastener components between the fingers of the other hand and manipulate the fastener components with her fingers into both lateral and longitudinal align-ment and then must move the componentsrelative to one another while maintaining proper alignment in order to achieve interengagement thereof. To add to the difficulty of aligning and interengaging the components with one hand, it will be appreciated that the position ofthe fastener components between the shoulder and upper chest area renders it extremely difficult if not impossible to observe the interengaging operation. Moreover, even if the woman can strain her head and eyes to see in the area of her shoulder the fastening components are often disposed beneath an outer garment such as a blouse, dress or robe which may block her view. Accordingly if a woman is to readily reengage the fastening components shemust lay the child down in order to be able to use both hands to achieve 7 interengagement of the fastening component. Often, however. it is not possible or desirable to lay the child down and, moreover. even if the child is laid down, proper alignment and interengagement of the fastening components may still be difficult to achieve if the mother can not observe the interengaging operation.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages attendant to the manipulation of components of a separable fastener assembly for a nursing brassiere to achieve interengagement thereof, it will be appreciated that it would be most desirable to provide a fastener assembly comprised of components including means to facilitate proper alignment thereof during an interengaging operation so that one hand manipulation thereof is facilitated. Such a brassiere fastener assembly is achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing one of the components of the assembly with a slot and the other with a cooperable projection by which interengagement of the components is achieved. Further, structure of the fastener components is such as to facilitate the relative positioning of the projection and slot to assure proper alignment therebetween during an interengaging operation. Accordingly, once the projection and slot are aligned it is only necessary to introduce the projection through the slot to accomplish interengagement.

.ln accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the two fastener components are adapted to be moved longitudinally relative to one another, and a slot locating stop is provided on the slotted component which is engagable by the projection in the longitudinal direction between the two fastener components to denote the longitudinal slot location. On engagement of the projection with the slot locating stop one of the components is manipulated to tilt the projection relative to the slot for passage of the projection through the slot to achieve interengagement between the fastener components.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention lateral guides are provided between the two fastener components and'are cooperable to relatively position the slot and projection laterally of the direction of interengaging movement therebetween. The guides may be defined, for example, by wall elements on one of the fastener components and the side edges on the other of the fastener components. The wall elements are spaced apart a distance substantially corresponding to the distance between the side edges of the other component, whereby the latter component is receivable between the walls to laterally position the components relative to one another and to facilitate guiding the relative longitudinal movement therebetween which may be necessary to bring the projection adjacent the slot for introduction therethrough.

Thus, it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention a fastener assembly is provided comprised of a pair of fastener components which are releasably interengagable and which are readily positionable relative to one another by feel to facilitate manipulation of the fastener components into interengaging relationship.

An .outstanding object of the present invention .is the provision of a fastener assembly for a brassiere comprised of a pair of interengagable fastener components and wherein manipulation of the components to achieve interengagement therebetween is facilitated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fastener assembly of the above character comprised of fastener components having cooperable structures by which interengagement thereof is achieved and wherein proper relative positioning of the components for interengagement is provided for.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a fastener assembly of the above character wherein the components are cooperable to laterally position the components relative to one another.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a fastener assembly of the above character wherein the components are cooperable to guide longitudinal movement of the components relative to one another.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a fastener assembly of the above character wherein the fastener components are movable longitu dinally relative to one another to achieve interengagement and are cooperable to position a projection on one component relative to a slot in the other for introduction of the projection into the slot.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a fastener assembly of the above character adapted to releasably interengage strap and cover portions of a nursing brassiere and wherein proper relative orientation of the fastener components for interengagement therebetween advantageously can be readily achieved by one hand manipulation of the fastener components.

These objects and others will in part be obvious and in part more fully pointed out hereinafter in conjunction with the description of the drawing of preferred embodiments of the present invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nursing brassiere having one embodiment of a fastener assembly made in accordance with the present invention between shoulder strap and breast cover components thereof;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one component of the fastener assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the component illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the other of the fastener components of the fastener assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the component illustrated in FIG. 4, the view being taken along line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the component illustrated in FIG. 4, the view being along line 66 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the fastener components in partially assembled relationship;

FIG. 7A is a side view, in section, of the assembly of FIG. 7, the view being along line 7A7A in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a side view, in section, of the components of the fastener assembly and illustrating the components in further partially assembled relation;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the components of the fastener assembly illustrating the components in fully interengaged relationship;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, in section, of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 9, the section being taken along line Ill-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one component of another embodiment of fastener assembly in accordance with the present invention;

, FIG. 12 is a side view of the component illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the other component of the modified fastener assembly; I

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the component illustrated in FIG. 13, the view being along line 14-14 in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is an end viewof the component illustrated in FIG. 13, the view being along line 1515 in FIG. 13.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawing in which the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, a nursing brassiere 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 which is comprised of a suitable body encircling band 12, a pair of breast cups 14, and corresponding shoulder straps 16. The structure of body encircling band 12 and breast cups 14 do not form a part of the present invention and, accordingly, a detailed description thereof is not necessary. Generally, however, the body encircling band portion of such a nursing brassiere will include upper breast engaging portions 18, and the breast cups will include upper breast cover or shield members 20 which are sewn or otherwise secured to lower breast cup portions 22 along a line 24 therebetween. Upper cover or shield portions 20, as is well known, are adapted to be releasably maintained in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 by suitable fastening means between the cover portion and corresponding shoulder strap. Upon release from the shoulder strap, the cover portion 20 is adapted to be moved to a position which exposes the breast for feedmg.

In accordance with the present invention, each cover or shield portion 20 is adapted to be releasably retained in the position thereof illustrated in Fl. 1 by a corresponding fastener assembly 26 comprised of releasably interengagable fastener members 28 and 30. Fastener member 28 has one end thereof suitably interconnected with shield or breast cover 20 such as by a strap 32 which preferably is stitched both to member 28 and cover 20. It will be appreciated, however, that other securing means such as an adhesive for example, could be employed in place of stitching and that member 28 could be directly attached to cover 20. Fastener member 30 is attached to one end of a strap 34 which has its opposite end fixed to the upper marginal edge of breast engaging portion 18. Preferably, one end of fastener member 30 is slotted and the corresponding end of straps 34 extends through the slot and back upon itself and is stitched as at 34a, and the other end of strap 34 is stitched to brassiere portion 18. Strap 34 and the corresponding shoulder strap 16 are adjustably interconnected by an adjusting component 35 which has a slot 35a through which strap 34 loosely extends and slots 35]), 35c and 35d through which shoulder stra 16 is threaded in a well known manner to provide for adjusting the length of the shoulder strap to suit the wearer. The loose fit between strap 34 and component 35 permits the latter to slide along strap 34, whereby the closed positional relationship between cover 20 and brassiere portion 18 can readily vary to accommodate expansion and contraction of breast size which occurs during pregnancy and the period of breast feeding. In view of the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that upon separation of fastener member 30 from fastener member 28 cover or shield portion 20 is adapted to be moved so as to expose the breast.

The structure of fastener member 28 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing. In this respect, fastener member 28 is in the form of a flat plate component preferably of plastic material having opposite ends 36 and 38 between which a slot 40 is provided. Preferably slot 40 is of rectangular configuration, but it will be appreciated that other configurations may readily be used. Slot 40 extends transversely through fastener member 28 and preferably is located along the longitudinal center line thereof. End 38 preferably is flat and of a thickness which permits stitching thereof to strap 32. Fastener member 28 has an upper surface 42 and a stop wall 44 extends upwardly from surface 42 and laterally along the side of slot 40 which is nearest end 38 of the fastener member. Fastener member 28 is further provided with guide walls 46 and 48 extending upwardly from surface 42 and longitudinally of member 28 along the side edges thereof and from end 36 toward end 38 thereof. In the embodiment illustrated, walls-46 and 48 are continuous from end 36 and include inner portions 46a and 480, respectively, which diverge laterally inwardly toward slot 40 and terminate at the corresponding lateral ends of wall 44. Diverging wall portions 46a and 480 are generally of equal length and extend at equal anglesrelative to the corresponding outer wall portions 46b and 48b which are generally parallel to one another. It will be appreciated. however, that the diverging wall portions could be arcuate rather than straight and gently merge with wall portions 46b and 48b. The juncture between wall portions 46a and 46b and between wall portions 48a and 48b is intermediate the length of the corresponding wall 46 or 48 and, preferably, is approximately midway of the wall length. Further, wall portions 46a and 48a preferably are integral with wall 44 in the areas ofjuncture therebetween. The foregoing structure of member 28 facilitates the production of the component as a one piece integral unit. As mentioned hereinabove, slot 40 extends transversely through fastener member 28 and, in this respect, is open from upper surface 42 to the lower surface 43 of the fastener member. Walls 44, 46 and 48 preferably extend above upper surface 42 a distance corresponding substantially to the thickness of a plate portion of fastener member 30 which s disposed therebetween when the fastener components are assembled, as pointed out more fully hereinafter.

Fastener member 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing and preferably is also produced from a plastic material. Fastener member 30 includes a generally flat body portion 31 having opposite ends 58 and 60, a top 62 and a bottom 64. As mentioned hereinabove, fastener member 30 is adapted to be attached to strap 34 of a brassiere such as that illustrated in FIG. I, and to facilitate such connection body portion 31 is provided adjacent end 58 with a slot 66 through which the corresponding end of strap 34 is adapted to be looped and stitched as described above. It will be appreciated, however, that strap 34 and fastener member 30 can be connected in any suitable manner such as by stitching or adhesively bonding the strap directly to member 30, in which case slot 66 could be omitted. End 60 of fastener member 30 is provided laterally centrally thereof with projection means 68 which in the illustrated embodiment includes a flat plate portion 70 which is laterally narrower than fastener member 30 and is spaced below body portion 31 by a connecting portion 72 which extends downwardly from end 60 of the fastener member. Further, rear edge 74 of plate portion 70 is provided with a dimple 76 which extends therefrom toward end 58 of the fastener member. Plate portion 70 has a lateral width corresponding substantially to the lateral width of slot 40 in fastener member 28. Further, plate portion 70 has a longitudinal length from front edge 78 of connecting portion 72 to the point on dimple 76 farthest removed from edge 78 which corresponds substantially to the longitudinal dimension of slot 40 in fastener member 28. These dimensional relationships between slot 40 and plate portion 70 provide for interengagement between fastener members 28 and 30 to be achieved in the manner set forth more fully hereinafter. While connecting portion 72 is illustrated as being of a lateral width corresponding to that of plate portion it will be appreciated that connector portion 72 could be of a lateral width less than the width of plate portion 70. Moreover, plate portion 70 could have a peripheral contour other than the rectangular contour illustrated and, in thisrespect could be round, elliptical or of other suitable configurations.

Body portion 31 of the fastener member preferably has a thickness which corresponds generally to the height of walls 44, 46 and 48 of fastener member 28 above surface 42 thereof. Moreover, body portion 31 is defined in part by side edges 82 and 84 extending longitudinally of the fastening member from a point adjacent end 58 thereof toward end 60. Side edges 82 and 84 include outer generally parallel portions 82a and 84a, respectively, and inner portions 82b and 84b which diverge toward the sides of plate portion 70 at end 60 of body portion 31. The lateral spacing and longitudinal contours of side edges 82 and 84 correspond generally with the spacing between and longitudinal contout of walls 46 and 48 respectively of fastener member 28. More particularly, side edges 82 and 84 define guide means for fastener member 30 cooperable with walls 46 and 48 of fastener member 28 to facilitate interengagement of fastener members 28 and 30, as set forth hereinafter.

The positional relationships between fastener members 28 and 30 during manipulation thereof into interengagement is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 7A, 8, 9, and 10 of the drawing. More particularly, during the initial assembly procedure fastener components 28 and 30 are moved into the relative positions thereof illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A. In this respect, fastener member 30 is disposed in overlying relationship with surface 42 of fastener member 28 and has its opposite side edges 82 and 84 disposed between walls 46 and 48 of fastener member 28. Moreover, the front edge of plate portion 70 of the projection means is disposed in engagement with slot locating wall 44 of fastener member 28. Fastener members 28 and 30 may be moved into the disposition illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A in a number of different ways, such as by moving member 30 laterally across one of the walls 46 and 48 until side edges 82 and 84 of member 30 drop therebetween, and then longitudinally shifting the members relative to one another until plate portion 70 of the projection means engages wall 44. As another example of such movement, fastener member 30 may be longitudinally introduced between outer portions 46b and 48b of walls 46 and 48 at the entrance end of member 28 adjacent end 36 thereof, and the two components then moved longitudinally to bring plate portion 70 into abuting relationship with wall 44. Regardless of the manner in which the two components are initially positioned, it will be appreciated that walls 46 and 48 of member 28 to gether with side edges 82 and 84 of member 30 define guide means between the fastener members cooperable to relatively position slot 40 and projection means 58 in a direction lateral to the direction between the opposite ends of the two fastener members. Moreover, the front edge of plate portion 70 of the projection means engages wall 44, whereby the latter wall defines positioning means to denote the location of slot 40 in the direction between the opposite ends of fastener member 28. Accordingly, proper relative positioning of fastener members 28 and 30 can readily be achieved employing only the sense of touch or feel.

When fastener members 28 and 30 are properly positioned relative to one another as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, plate portion 70 of the projection means is introduced through slot 40 in member 28 by first tilting fastener member 30 relative to fastener member 28 as illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawing. During such tilting movement, the front edge of plate portion 70 slides downwardly along rear surface 45 of wall 44 and front surface 41 of slot 40, whereby proper longitudinal positioning of the fastening members is maintained. Further, during such tilting movement proper lateral positioning of the components is maintained by the relationship between walls 46 and 48 of member 28 and side edges 82 and 84 of member 30, and by the side edges of plate portion 70 and the adjacent side edges of slot 40.

Once the forward edge of plate portion 70 of the projection means has cleared the bottom edge of slot 40 the fastener elements are displaced longitudinally rela tive to one another to move plate portion 70 of the projection means through slot 40 in the direction of end 38 of fastener member 28. When plate portion 70 has moved through slot 40, fastener members 28 and 30 are pivoted relative to one another in the direction to move fastener element 30 toward surface 42 of fastener element 28. Such movement brings fastener elements 28 and 30 into the fully interengaged relationship thereof illustrated in F105. 9 and of the drawing. in this respect, plate portion 70 of the projection means is disposed in underlying relationship with regard to bottom 43 of fastener member 28, body portion 31 of fastener member is disposed in overlying relationship with regard to upper surface 42 of fastener member 28, front edge 78 of connecting portion 72 of the projection means is disposed closely adjacent surface 41 of slot 40, and side edges 82 and 84 of fastener member 30 are disposed between walls 46 and 48 of fastener member 28. it will be noted too that the plate portion 70 is spaced below bottom 64 of fastener member 30 a distance corresponding generally to the distance between surfaces 42 and 43 of member 28, whereby undesirable looseness between the fastener members is avoided. When the fastener members are so disposed, dimple 76 on the rear edge of projection means 68 overlies bottom surface 43 of fastener member 28 adjacent the corresponding edge of slot 40. Accordingly, dimple 76 prevents unintended pivotal displacement of fastener member 30 in the direction which would move body portion 31 thereof away from surface 42 of fastener member 28. With further regard to the function of dimple 76 it will be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 that a narrow space 86 exists between inner surface 41 of slot and front edge 78 of connecting portion 72 of the projection means. Space 86 permits longitudinal movement of fastener member 30 toward end 38 of fastener member 28 to carry dimple 76 forwardly of the corresponding edge of slot 40 so that fastener member 30 may be tilted to the position illustrated in FIG. 8 to achieve withdrawal of the plate portion of the projection means through slot 40. Preferably, space 86 is slightly less than the distance which dimple 76 projects longitudinally from the rear edge of plate portion 70. Such a dimensional relationship provides for dimple 76 to frictionally engage the corresponding edge of slot 40 during assembly and disassembly of fastener members 28 and 30, whereby a snap action occurs during assembly and disassembly operations. It will be appreciated. however, that such a frictional engagement relationship between the dimple and adja cent edge of slot 40 is not essential to maintenance of the fastener members in the interengaged dispositions thereof.

FIGS. 11-15 of the drawing illustrate a further embodiment of cooperable fastener members for releasably interengaging brassiere portions in the manner described hereinabove with regard to FIG. 1. In this respect, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a fastener member 128 adapted to be connected to the breast shield portion of a brassiere in the manner described hereinabove with regard to fastener component 28, and FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 illustrate a fastener member 130 adapted to be interconnected by a strap component to the other breast engaging portion of the brassiere in the manner described hereinabove with regard to fastener component 30.

Fastener member 128 is similar in many respects to fastener member 28 and, in this respect, includes oppo site ends 136 and 138 and a slot 140 intermediate the opposite ends. Further, fastener member 128 is in the form ofa flat plate component preferably of plastic material, and slot 140 is of a rectangular configuration and extends transversely through the fastener member. End 138 preferably is flat and relatively thin to facilitate stitching interconnection thereof with the corresponding brassiere portion. Further, the fastener has an upper surface 142 and a stop wall 144 extends upwardly from surface 142 and laterally along the side of slot 140 which is nearest end 138 of the fastener member. Guide walls 146 and 148 extend upwardly from surface 142 and longitudinally of the fastener member from end'136 toward end 138 thereof. In this embodiment, guide walls 146 and 148 are continuous from end 136, are generally parallel throughout the length thereof and terminate at the corresponding lateral sides of stop wall 144. Preferably, walls 146 and 148 are integral with stop wall 144 in the areas ofjuncture therebetween.

Fastener member 130 is similar in certain respects to fastener member 30 described hereinabove and, in this respect, includes a body portion 131 having opposite ends 158 and 160, a top 162 and a bottom 164. Further, body portion 131 is provided adjacent end 158 with a slot 166 to facilitate interconnection of the fastener member with the corresponding brassiere portion.

End of fastener member 130 is provided laterally centrally thereof with projection means 168 which includes a flat plate portion 170' which is laterally narrower than fastener member 130 and is spaced below body portion 131 by a connecting portion 172 which extends downwardly from end 160 of the fastener member. Further, rear edge 174 of plate portion 170 is provided with a dimple 176 which extends therefrom toward end 158 of the fastener member. Plate portion 170 has a lateral width corresponding generally to the lateral width of slot 140 and has a longitudinal length from front edge 178 of connecting portion 172 to the point on dimple 176 farthest removed from edge 178 which corresponds substantially to the longitudinal dimension of slot 140. As mentioned hereinabove, connector portion 172 could be of a lateral width less than the width of plate portion 170, and the latter plate portion and slot l40'could have a peripheral contour other than the rectangular contours illustrated therefor. Moreover, the connecting portions could have a lateral width up to that of the slot 140 and plate portioh 170 could be laterally narrower than the connecting portion.

Body portion 131 of fastener member 130 includes side edges 182 and 184 extending longitudinally of the fastening member from end 158 thereof toward end 160. Side edges 182 and 184 are generally parallel to one another and define guide surfaces on fastener member 130 cooperable with guide walls 146 and 148 of fastening member l28 to facilitate interengagement of the fastener members in a manner similar to that described hereinabove with regard to fastener members 28 and 30.

The positional relationships between fastener member 128 and 130 during manipulation thereof into interengagement is the same as that described hereinabove with regard to fastener members 28 and 30 and, accordingly, it is not believed necessary to reiterate the interengaging procedure It should be noted, however, that during positioning and interengagement of the fastener members, guide walls 146 and 148 receive guide surfaces 182 and 184 of fastener member 130 therebetween and the guide walls and surfaces cooperate to laterally position the projection means relative to slot 130. Further, upon relative longitudinal movement between the members to move projection means 168 toward slot 140 the front edge of plate portion 170 of the projection means engages the stop wall 144 on member 128, thus to properly position the projection means longitudinally of member 128 for introduction of the projection means through slot 140.

In the embodiments of the present invention described hereinabove, it is to be noted that the slotted fastening member 28 or 128 is interconnected with the breast shield or cover portion of the brassiere and that fastener member 30 or 130 carrying the projection means is interconnected with the upper breast engaging portion of the brassiere. This relationship is preferred in that easy manipulation of the fastener components is facilitated thereby, especially during interengagement of the fastener members. In this respect, the slotted fastener member can be positioned against the chest of the wearer and pressed thereagainst by one or both of the little finger and ring finger of one hand to hold the slotted component in a fixed position. The fastener member carrying the projection means can then be grasped between the thumb and first or second fingers of the same hand, laterally positioned relative to the slotted component by means of the guide walls and guide edges and tilted to introduce the projection means through the slot. Once the projection means has been introduced through the slot the first or second finger can be employed to press the fastening member carrying the projection means toward the chest to snap lock the fastener members together in the manner described hereinabove. While the above disposition of the fastener members is preferred, it will be appreciated that the location ofthe fastener members relative to the portions of the brassiere to be interconnected could readily be reversed. When so reversed, the guide wall and side edges of the fastener members are still cooperable to laterally align the fastener members by feel thus to achieve proper location of the projection means relative to the slot to facilitate introduction of the projection means through the slot.

While considerable emphasis has been placed hereinabove on the fact that the fastener members have cooperable guide means and that stop means is provided to denote longitudinal slot locations, it will be understood that either ofthe guide means or stop means can be employed without the other. Moreover, while the guide means for the fastener members is defined by walls on the slotted fastener member and side edges on the fastener member carrying the projection means, it will be appreciated that such guide means could readily be defined by providing similar walls on the member carrying the projection means for receiving guide edges on the slotted fastener member. Further, it will be appreciated that the guide walls need not be continuous or interconnected with the stop wall, and that means other than walls could be provided to define guide means on one number cooperable with guide surfaces on the other. For example, a plurality of dimples or projections could be provided which would be positioned to receive guide edges therebetween, and which could be integral with or separate components attached to the corresponding fastener members. Many forms of guide means could be devised for achieving lateral positioning and longitudinal guiding of relative movement between the fastener members, the guide means herein illustrated and described merely being a preferred form. Moreover, while the plate portion of the projection means and the cooperable slot are illustrated in one embodiment as having a lateral width generally corresponding to the distance between the inner ends of the converging portions of the guide walls, it will be appreciated that the plate portion and slot could have a lateral width less than the lateral distance between the inner ends of the converging wall portions, and that the plate portion of the projection means could have a lateral width considerably less than the lateral width of the slot. Similarly, while the plate portion of the projection means and the cooperable slot in the other embodiment are illustrated as being laterally narrower than the distance between the parallel guide walls, it will be appreciated that the slot and plate portion could have a lateral width corresponding generally to the distance between the guide walls, and that the plate portion could be considerably narrower than the slot. It will be appreciated too that the slot and projection means could be located along a longitudinal line laterally of the center line of the components. It will be further appreciated that stop means or slot locating means can be provided other than by a wall or the like disposed adjacent and along one side of the slot. For example, stop means could be defined by providing the fastener members with other interengaging components which would cooperate to denote that the projection means is properly positioned longitudinally for introduction through the slot, It will be still further appreciated that the slot and projection means could be cooperably contoured to interengage one another in a manner other than by snap lock action. For example, the plate portion could be provided with a longitudinal flange in place of the dimple thereon and which would slidingly overlap the bottom of the slotted component to prevent unintended separation thereof. Many designs of cooperable projections and slots will be readily apparent and can be employed within the present invention.

As many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and as many possible changes may be made in the embodiment herein disclosed, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.

I claim:

1. A brassiere fastener assembly comprising a female member and a male member releaseably interengageable in a longitudinal direction, said female member including a first plate or plastic material having an attachment end connectable to a first brassiere portion and an entrance end longitudinally spaced from said attachment end, said first plate having top and bottom surfaces and an aperture spaced from said entrance end and opening between said surfaces, said aperture having longitudinally spaced apart end edges and] laterally spaced apart side edges, said first plate further including an abutment wall extending upwardly from said top surface adjacent the end edge of said aperture farthest from said entrance end and a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls extending upwardly from said top surface and in a direction away from said aperture and toward said entrance end, each said sidewalls having an inner surface laterally opposed with respect to the corresponding side edge of said aperture, said inner surfaces being spaced apart a distance at least equal to the distance between said side edges of said aperture, said male member including a second plate of plastic material having an attachment end connectable to a second brassiere portion and a second end longitudinally spaced from said attachment end, said second plate further having top and bottom surfaces and laterally spaced apart side edges extending from said second end toward said attachment end and receivable between said sidewalls on said first plate, a projection on said second end of said second plate including a first portion extending downwardly from said bottom surface at said second end of said second plate and a second portion extending longitudinally outwardly from said first portion and second end, said second portion being spaced below and parallel to the plane of the bottom surface of said second plate, said projection having a width no greater than the distance between said side edges of said aperture and said first portion having a longitudinal dimension receivable between said end edges of said aperture and approximately equal to the spacing between said end edges, said first and second plates being interengaged by introducing said second portion of said projection through said aperture from said top surface of said first plate and in the direction from said entrance end toward said attachment end of said first plate, for said second portion to be beneath said first plate, said first portion to extend through said aperture and said second plate to overlie said first plate in the area between said aperture and entrance end, said second portion of said projection having an end edge spaced longitudinally outwardly from said second end of said second plate, said end edge being slidable on said top surface of said first plate in the direction from said entrance end toward said aperture, and said abutment wall and sidewalls being engaged by said end edge during sliding movement to longitudinally and laterally position said second portion of said projection for introduction through said aperture.

2. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said abutment wall is generally coextensive laterally with said farthest edge of said aperture and each of said sidewalls includes a portion extending divergingly from a corresponding end of said abutment wall toward said entrance end.

3. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 2, wherein said diverging wall portions have ends spaced from said abutment wall and said sidewalls each further include a second portion extending from said end of a corresponding one of said diverging portions to said entrance end of said first plate, said second sidewall portions being parallel to one another.

4. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first portion of said projection has a laterally extending face opposite the end wall of said aperture nearest said entrance end of said first plate when said first and second plates are interengaged, said face including a portion extending below said bottom surface of said first plate, and a dimple on said portion of said face and extending longitudinally toward said entrance end, said longitudinal dimension of said first portion of said projection and the longitudinal extent of said dimple together being slightly greater than the distance between said end edges of said aperture for said dimple to releaseably hold said first and second plates interconnected.

5. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said brassiere is a nursing brassiere having strap means including shoulder strap means, a lower breast cup attached to said strap means, and an upper breast cover having a first edge attached to said cup and a second edge releaseably attached to said shoulder strap means, said breast cover defining said first brassiere portion and said shoulder strap means defining said second brassiere portion.

6. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 5, wherein said abutment wall is generally coextensive laterally with said farthest edge of said aperture and each of said sidewalls includes a portion extending divergingly from a corresponding end of said abutment wall toward said entrance end.

7. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 6, wherein said first portion of said projection has a laterally extending face opposite the end wall of said aperture nearest said entrance end of said first plate when said first and second plates are interengaged, said face including a portion extending below said bottom surface of said first plate, and a dimple on said portion of said face and extending longitudinally toward said entrance end, said longitudinal dimension of said first portion of said projection and the longitudinal extent of said dimple together being slightly greater than the distance between said end edges of said aperture for said dimple to releaseably hold said first and second plates interconnected. 

1. A brassiere fastener assembly comprising a female member and a male member releaseably interengageable in a longitudinal direction, said female member including a first plate or plastic material having an attachment end connectable to a first brassiere portion and an entrance end longitudinally spaced from said attachment end, said first plate having top and bottom surfaces and an aperture spaced from said entrance end and opening between said surfaces, said aperture having longitudinally spaced apart end edges and laterally spaced apart side edges, said first plate further including an abutment wall extending upwardly from said top surface adjacent the end edge of said aperture farthest from said entrance end and a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls extending upwardly from said top surface and in a direction away from said aperture and toward said entrance end, each said sidewalls having an inner surface laterally opposed with respect to the corresponding side edge of said aperture, said inner surfaces being spaced apart a distance at least equal to the distance between said side edges of said aperture, said male member including a second plate of plastic material having an attachment end connectable to a second brassiere portion and a second end longitudinally spaced from said attachment end, said second plate further having top and bottom surfaces and laterally spaced apart side edges extending from said second end toward said attachment end and receivable between said sidewalls on said first plate, a projection on said second end of said second plate including a first portion extending downwardly from said bottom surface at said second end of said second plate and a second portion extending longitudinally outwardly from said first portion and second end, said second portion being spaced below and parallel to the plane of the bottom surface of said second plate, said projection having a width no greater than the distance between said side edges of said aperture and said first portion having a longitudinal dimension receivable between said end edges of said aperture and approximately equal to the spacing between said end edges, said first and second plates being interengaged by introducing said second portion of said projection through said aperture from said top surface of said first plate and in the direction from said entrance end toward said attachment end of said first plate, for said second portion to be beneath said first plate, said first portion to extend through said aperture and said second plate to overlie said first plate in the area between said aperture and entrance end, said second portion of said projection having an end edge spaced longitudinally outwardly from said second end of said second plate, said end edge being slidable on said top surface of said first plate in the direction from said entrance end toward said aperture, and said abutment wall and sidewalls being engaged by said end edge during sliding movement to longitudinally and laterally position said second portion of said projection for introduction through said aperture.
 2. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said abutment wall is generally coextensive laterally with said farthest edge of said aperture and each of said sidewalls includes a portion extending divergingly from a corresponding end of said abutment wall toward said entrance end.
 3. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 2, wherein said diverging waLl portions have ends spaced from said abutment wall and said sidewalls each further include a second portion extending from said end of a corresponding one of said diverging portions to said entrance end of said first plate, said second sidewall portions being parallel to one another.
 4. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first portion of said projection has a laterally extending face opposite the end wall of said aperture nearest said entrance end of said first plate when said first and second plates are interengaged, said face including a portion extending below said bottom surface of said first plate, and a dimple on said portion of said face and extending longitudinally toward said entrance end, said longitudinal dimension of said first portion of said projection and the longitudinal extent of said dimple together being slightly greater than the distance between said end edges of said aperture for said dimple to releaseably hold said first and second plates interconnected.
 5. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said brassiere is a nursing brassiere having strap means including shoulder strap means, a lower breast cup attached to said strap means, and an upper breast cover having a first edge attached to said cup and a second edge releaseably attached to said shoulder strap means, said breast cover defining said first brassiere portion and said shoulder strap means defining said second brassiere portion.
 6. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 5, wherein said abutment wall is generally coextensive laterally with said farthest edge of said aperture and each of said sidewalls includes a portion extending divergingly from a corresponding end of said abutment wall toward said entrance end.
 7. The brassiere fastener assembly according to claim 6, wherein said first portion of said projection has a laterally extending face opposite the end wall of said aperture nearest said entrance end of said first plate when said first and second plates are interengaged, said face including a portion extending below said bottom surface of said first plate, and a dimple on said portion of said face and extending longitudinally toward said entrance end, said longitudinal dimension of said first portion of said projection and the longitudinal extent of said dimple together being slightly greater than the distance between said end edges of said aperture for said dimple to releaseably hold said first and second plates interconnected. 